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"House of the Future" in Berlin: a center for self-determined living

17.06.2024

The "House of the Future" is located in the heart of Marzahn-Hellersdorf in Berlin. It is part of the Unfallkrankenhaus (emergency hospital) Berlin (ukb) ­­­– an innovative facility dedicated to promoting a self-determined life. In June, the center invites you to a special open house event.

Photo: A modern angular house photographed from the front and side view as well as with parts of the green areas. Copyright: Smart Living & Health Center e.V.

Since 2021, the "House of the Future" at Unfallkrankenhaus Berlin (ukb) has been the place where innovations in accessible living can be experienced.

In 2021, the "House of the Future" ­­­– a state-of-the-art information center ­­­– was inaugurated at Unfallkrankenhaus Berlin (ukb). It is dedicated entirely to the topic of home care and self-determined living. It brings together the ukb's Emergency Simulation Center, the Care and Social Counselling Center and the Smart Living & Health Center. Practical solutions are presented here that enable people to live independently with affordable technology.

On 22 June 2024, the "House of the Future" will open its doors to all interested parties. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the center offers a varied program: 

  • guided tours through living areas and technical exhibitions
  • demonstrations of fall sensors and home emergency call systems
  • test course for wheelchairs and rollators
  • information on how to make home care easier
  • many other offers for young and old

Intelligent lighting: safety and comfort

The exhibition in the Smart Living & Health Center, which can also be visited on other days, offers impressive insights into areas such as modern lighting technologies. From automatically controlled lamps that react to movement and presence to lighting systems that adapt to the natural rhythm of the day, the exhibition shows how innovative lighting solutions can make everyday life safer and more comfortable. These technologies are accessible for a range of budgets, from extensive structural adaptations to simple, wireless installations.
Photo: A wheelchair-accessible bed, a wheelchair ramp and seating. Copyright: Smart Living & Health Center e.V.

On site, in the "House of the Future", the advantages of accessible outdoor areas can be examined and tested to bring new options closer.

Accessible outdoor areas

Access to patios, balconies and gardens is a great benefit for quality of life ­­­– especially for people with limited mobility. The "House of the Future" shows how ground-level ramps and height-adjustable furniture can make it easier to spend time outdoors. Well thought-out details such as wheelchair-accessible raised flowerbeds for wheelchair gardening and height-adjustable barbecues help to ensure that everyone can enjoy their leisure time outdoors independently and safely.

Gif animation: REHACARE 2025 from 17 to 20 September 2025 in Düsseldorf/Germany, linked to "More information about the Trade Fair"

Workplace 4.0: accessible and ergonomic

The topic of working from home is also very important in the exhibition. The house features a variety of ergonomic and accessible workplace solutions. Whether height-adjustable desks or special conference tables ­­­– the exhibition shows how modern working can be made accessible for everyone.

Photo: A desk with a recess for a wheelchair, which can be seen in the foreground. Copyright: Smart Living & Health Center e.V.

Height adjustments and recesses in the table top make it much more comfortable to use from a wheelchair - as this desk clearly shows.

Photo: Living room with stand-up chair, a rollator in front of it and a sofa set with height-adjustable table in the background. Copyright: Smart Living & Health Center e.V.

In this living room, clever systems that support movement are welcome, e.g. with the chair's stand-up function back to the rollator to quickly fetch something from the kitchen.

Photo: Barrier-free bathroom with WC, washbasin, level-access shower cubicle. Copyright: Smart Living & Health Center e.V.

In this bathroom, the accessibility of the toilet, washbasin and shower has been thought through and implemented down to the smallest details. Whether it stands up to the test in practice is best considered on site.

Photo: A mobile shower chair with a barrier-free shower, washbasin and WC behind it. Copyright: Smart Living & Health Center e.V.

A modern accessible bathroom relies on height-adjustable and remote-controlled elements as well as an emergency call system.

Health monitoring without effort

The Smart Living & Health Center presents options for monitoring vital data directly from home as another highlight. This technology offers immense benefits, particularly for people who have been hospitalized or suffer from chronic illnesses. Users can conveniently and securely transmit their health data to their doctor from home, thus avoiding unnecessary trips and waiting times.

All information at a glance - Open house event at the House of the Future:

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Jennifer Meyer
REHACARE.com

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